JUNE 2023 – RIGPE DORJE FOUNDATION

Saturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4, May 3, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saga Dawa Intensive Retreat

Saga Dawa is the most significant month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. This year it runs from May 20 to June 18.

The 15th day of the lunar month, the full moon day is called Saga Dawa Düchen. It falls on Sunday, June 4. This day is the most important holy day of the year for Tibetan Buddhists, it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni. During this month, we make extra efforts in practising Dharma, generosity, and compassion, thus accumulating greater virtuous merits and purify our negative karma. We also pray for world peace.

On the weekend of June 3 and 4, Acharya Choying Gyurmey will lead us in an intensive Treasury of Blessings retreat.

Schedule, each day:

5 – 7 a.m.: Sojong—a short ritual for taking the eight Mahayana vows of a lay practitioner for a single day. These are to be taken before sunrise, and include not eating after your midday meal.
7 – 8 a.m.: Breakfast
8 – 9:30 a.m.: 2nd session—Guided meditation on the Treasury of Blessing
9:30—10 a.m.: Break
10 – 11:30 a.m.: 3rd session—Guided meditation on the Treasury of Blessing
11:30—1:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:30—3 p.m.: 4th session—Guided meditation on the Treasury of Blessing
3 – 3:30 p.m.: Break
3:30—5 p.m.: 5th session—Guided meditation on the Treasury of Blessing

One may come for the entire retreat, or for any number of individual sessions.

Breakfast and lunch will be served. Please register by Wednesday, May 31, if you will be present for meals. Send an email to centre@rigpedorjemontreal.org

Volunteers requested to prepare and/or serve the meals. Please contact us to offer your service.

Shared via Zoom from 8 a.m.

Requested donation: $25 (members: $20)/per day, including the meals.

Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21 & 28, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Chenrezik & Amitabha Sadhanas

Love, compassion, and wisdom—together known as bodhicitta—are the indivisible nature of the Buddha’s enlightened mind. Chenrezik (Skt. Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha of Infinite Compassion, is the embodiment of these virtuous qualities.

Through the practice of Amitabha, the Buddha of Boundless Light, beings, especially those with faith, are guided to rebirth in Dewachen, the pure realm of immaculate happiness, joy and bliss.

By donation

Sunday, June 11, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Tea Meditation

Led by Acharya Choying Gyurmey and Tea Master Vivian Li

A tea meditation involves being mindful and present during all aspects of the tea ritual including making the tea, drinking the tea, and being aware of the environment and of the effects on your mind and body. You can practise a tea meditation any time during the day. It’s an example of how to apply our meditation in daily life.

By donation

Afterwards, please join us for a potluck lunch. (Bring vegetarian food to share.)

Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Smoke Offering

A Sang Offering (smoke offering) is a Tibetan Buddhist practice. Fragrant incense smoke is offered to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the supreme enlightened beings and all sentient beings to accumulate merit, purify our past negative karma and repay our karmic debts.

Suggested donation: $15/members $10 (or an amount of your choice) to cover expenses and support the Centre. Please come directly to our back courtyard, access by the alley.

Afterwards, please join us for a potluck lunch. (Bring vegetarian food to share.)